Smith was old last year, but at 35, he still produced his eighth 1,000-yard season in the last nine years, averaging 15.8 yards per catch. And if you prorate his 12-game 2003 numbers over a full season, he would have had nine straight 1,000-yard campaigns. Smith has been money in the bank in yardage leagues, thanks to his outstanding route-running ability, terrific burst and agile 6-1, 213-pound frame.
Smith still has the speed to get deep (he had four catches of 40-yards-plus in each of the last two seasons), but he’s not much of a red-zone threat – he cashed in on just 1-of-16 attempts last year and was 0-for-7 in 2003. Smith also struggled with drops, letting 10 passes slip though his fingers in 2004. With last year’s first-round pick Reggie Williams not yet making an impact, expect Smith to be Byron Leftwich’s top target again in 2005. Smith will be 36, but given his durability – he’s missed only one game due to injury since 1994 – he’s a low risk pick in the middle rounds of a draft.

2004

Smith’s hold-out days are long gone. And his days as a No. 1 receiver are going as soon as Reggie Williams masters the Jags’ playbook. If Williams’ learning curve is as steep as should be expected, Smith will squeeze out one more year as a viable No. 3 fantasy receiver. Smith was targeted 112 times last year, catching just 48 percent as Byron Leftwich struggled with his accuracy.

2003

While Smith lost 32 catches and 346 yards from his 2001 totals, don't succumb to the knee-jerk reaction that the loss of Keenan McCardell had all that much to do with it. The simple fact is that Smith saw plenty of single coverage last year, but he's at the stage of his career where he can't routinely beat it like he used to. This doesn't mean you don't want Smith on your fantasy roster, because you might. He still runs precise routes and has a great rapport with QB Mark Brunell. But bottom line, at age 34 and entering his 11th NFL season, Smith is no longer good enough to be the first receiver on your club. Look for another 1,000 to 1,100 yards from Smith and 7 or 8 scores in 2003, nothing more and nothing less.